[UPDATE: At the risk of really upsetting the anti-Franken faction out there, we had to point out that our hopes that Sen. Al Franken's personal passion for dogs would translate into action are already being realized. He announced his first legislative goal --funding to train service dogs to assist veterans. Good for dogs and veterans.

According to a column in Star Tribune, Franken was inspired by a wounded Iraq war veteran he met at the innauguration. Franken writes: "Service dogs … can be of immense benefit to vets suffering from physical and emotional wounds. Yes, they provide companionship. But they can also detect changes in a person's breathing, perspiration or scent to anticipate and ward off an impending panic attack with some well-timed nuzzling. They are trained to let their masters know when it's time to take their medication and to wake them from terrifying nightmares."]